Dataset Information

The melectine bee genera Brachymelecta and Sinomelecta (Hymenoptera, Apidae).

ABSTRACT: The enigmatic, cleptoparasitic bee genera Brachymelecta Linsley and Sinomelecta Baker (Apinae: Melectini) are redescribed, each represented by a single species which has not been reencountered since capture of the type series ca. 1878 and 1900, respectively. Both genera are the only melectines to possess two submarginal cells in the forewing but are otherwise wholly dissimilar. Brachymelecta mucida (Cresson), a species known only from the male holotype collected in "Nevada", is newly described and figured, including the first account of the hidden sterna and genitalia. Sinomelecta oreina Baker is similarly described and figured based on the holotype male and paratype female, apparently collected from the eastern Tibetan Plateau. Both genera are valid and from the available data do not appear to represent merely autapomorphic forms of Melecta Latreille. Indeed, the terminalia of Sinomelecta oreina are in some respects more similar to those of species of Thyreus Panzer.

SUBMITTER: Engel MS

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3520100 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

The melectine bee genera Brachymelecta and Sinomelecta (Hymenoptera, Apidae).

Engel Michael S MS Michener Charles D CD

ZooKeys 20121119 244

The enigmatic, cleptoparasitic bee genera Brachymelecta Linsley and Sinomelecta Baker (Apinae: Melectini) are redescribed, each represented by a single species which has not been reencountered since capture of the type series ca. 1878 and 1900, respectively. Both genera are the only melectines to possess two submarginal cells in the forewing but are otherwise wholly dissimilar. Brachymelecta mucida (Cresson), a species known only from the male holotype collected in "Nevada", is newly described a ...[more]

PMID: 23275741

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Project description:BackgroundThe Monteverde region of Costa Rica is a hotspot of endemism and biodiversity. The region is, however, disturbed by human activities such as agriculture and urbanisation. This study provides a list of orchid bees (Hymenoptera: Euglossini) compiled from field surveys conducted during January-October 2019 in the premontane wet forest of San Luis, Monteverde, Costa Rica. We collected 36 species of Euglossine bees across four genera. We provide new geographic distribution and elevation data for eight species in two genera. Due to their critical role in the pollination of orchids and other plants, the distribution and abundance of Euglossine bees has relevance to plant biodiversity and conservation efforts. This is especially important in a region with a high diversity of difficult-to-study epiphytic orchids, such as in the Monteverde region.New informationA total of 2,742 Euglossine male individuals across four genera (Eufriesea, Eulaema, Euglossa and Exaerete) were collected in this study. Updated geographic distributions and elevation ranges were established for eight species of Euglossini in two genera: Eufrieseamussitans (Fabricius, 1787), Eufriesearufocauda (Kimsey, 1977), Euglossadodsoni (Moure, 1965), Euglossadressleri (Moure, 1968), Euglossahansoni (Moure, 1965), Euglossaignita (Smith, 1874), Euglossatridentata (Moure, 1970) and Euglossaturbinifex (Dressler, 1978). These are the first recorded occurrences of these species in the Monteverde region of Costa Rica, according to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) database (https://doi.org/10.15468/9f9kgp). This study also established expanded elevation ranges for Euglossaallosticta, Euglossabursigera, Euglossamixta, Euglossaheterosticta and Euglossamaculabris, though these five species have been previously recorded in the Monteverde region and, thus, are not described in detail here. Additionally, our capture of 123 Eufrieseaconcava individuals is significant, as it indicates its abundance in this region. Prior to this study, there was a single record of E.concava in the Monteverde region, documented in 1993.

Dataset Information

The melectine bee genera Brachymelecta and Sinomelecta (Hymenoptera, Apidae).

Publications

The melectine bee genera Brachymelecta and Sinomelecta (Hymenoptera, Apidae).

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